Date & Venue:
29th January 2020, Costessey Town Council, Norwich
Key Highlights:
- Leadership & Membership Updates:
- Trevor Key confirmed as Autism Co-chair.
- Joanne Yellon (CCG) replacing Jocelyn Pike as a representative.
- Working Group & Data Updates:
- Autism Data Dashboard approved for development.
- Data Working Group Lead appointed: Jeremy Bone.
- Members asked to contribute data from their respective organizations.
- Dashboard progress to be a standing agenda item for future meetings.
- Safeguarding & Specialist Provision Review:
- Board invited to contribute to an adult safeguarding review on specialist hospital provision.
- A focus group to be formed to share lived experiences and recommendations.
- Autism Norfolk Forum (ANF) Updates:
- ANF meetings scheduled regularly with commissioner involvement.
- Efforts to improve attendance and engagement, especially from western localities.
- NAS West members now conducting focus groups to provide input.
- Autism Strategy & Engagement Initiatives:
- Strategy launch scheduled for World Autism Week (WAW).
- NAPB application & consent forms updated to simplify the membership process.
- Code of Conduct revised based on feedback and approved.
- Board agreed to rename “Autism Community” to “People with autism in the community” for inclusivity.
- Complaints, FOI, & Governance Updates:
- Engagement Working Group to manage Freedom of Information (FOI) requests.
- New complaints process developed and approved.
- Monitoring of complaints to occur every six months.
- Training & Workforce Development:
- Board encouraged NCC staff & education professionals to complete autism eLearning courses.
- Scope of training to be expanded where possible.
- Other Key Announcements:
- Concerns raised over accessibility & parking issues at County Hall—alternative venues to be explored.
- Board praised the effectiveness of meeting structure & presentations.
Next Steps:
- Continue development of Autism Data Dashboard.
- Launch Autism Strategy during World Autism Week.
- Monitor & refine complaints handling process.
- Encourage board members to engage in safeguarding review discussions.
Next Meeting: 16 April 2020, County Hall
To read the full minutes click here